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Overview
Take Note is four voices blended in rich a cappella harmony that brings back memories of pleasant times and music we all know and love. Take Note is currently the top ranking senior quartet in Illinois and is consistently ranked among the top ten senior quartets in North America, as determined at the Barbershop Harmony Society's annual Midwinter Convention.
With songs from the "good old days" and the "big band days", as well as the 50's and 60's, Take Note will entertain your guests with a unique combination of musical excellence and engaging warmth.
5 Reviews
The four gentlemen of Take Note are a class act. They performed a song at my father in laws memorial service and we could not have been more pleased. They were so gracious and did a great performance. Everyone in attendance was so moved and actually enjoyed an otherwise sad occasion. I know this made my father in laws spirit happy!
A Cappella Group, Barbershop Quartet
Response from Take Note:
Thank you, Jennifer. We were happy to help celebrate your father-in-law's love of this song.
Take Note was the perfect fit for our evening reception. They captured everyone's attention with their classic renditions. We would not hesitate to book Take Note again at one of our organization's future events.
Barbershop Quartet
This is a great group. My volunteers loved them. They interacted with the audience and were very entertaining.
Barbershop Quartet
Take Note was received very well by my mom whose birthday party it was. Even my wife, who did not think they would be entertaining, thought they did a very good job. I would definitely recommend them. They were early to the party so they could practice and were ready to go whenever i gave the thumbs up. They were very polite and had beautiful voices. Thank you to them for their wonderful skills!
Barbershop Quartet
Response from Take Note:
Alan, thank you for inviting us to celebrate your mom's birthday with you and the rest of your family. We truly enjoyed singing for her. It was great fun.
Barbershop Quartet
Booking Info
Price Range: $300-$800
Gig Length: 30 - 120 minutes
Languages: English
What to Expect
Take Note can do a stage show of up to one hour for your assembled guests. We can also stroll among your guests in a more casual setting (a cocktail hour, for example) and sing to them in smaller groups.
About
The members of Take Note are:
Raymond Schwarzkopf (tenor), a teacher from Oak Lawn, IL.
Ralph Brooks (lead), a retired project manager from Chicago, IL.
Dick Kingdon (baritone), a retired FDA investigator from Des Plaines, IL.
Ed Chapman (bass), a real estate agent from Naperville, IL.
They have already been singing together for several years, and each member of the quartet has more than 30 years experience entertaining audiences in the barbershop style. Ralph and Dick are section leaders for the nationally known New Tradition Chorus from Northbrook, IL. Individually, these four men hold numerous district quartet awards and one coveted International Quartet gold medal.
Additional Booking Notes
Take Note has worked in a wide variety of settings, both indoors and outdoors. We can adapt to almost any situation and we have no special technical requirements. We will provide our own sound system if required for your venue.
Services Offered
Past Booked Events
| December 27, 2023 • 10:30am - 11:30am | Nonprofit Event |
| September 14, 2023 • 11:00am - 11:15am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| June 10, 2022 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Nonprofit Event |
| April 20, 2022 • 12:30pm - 1:00pm | Retirement Community Event |
| April 03, 2022 • 4:00pm - 4:30pm | Birthday Party |
| September 17, 2021 • 11:00am - 11:30am | Wedding Ceremony |
| December 17, 2019 • 2:30pm - 3:00pm | Christmas Party |
| January 06, 2019–April 24, 2019 • 12:00am - 11:55pm | Winter Break, no gigs |
| November 19, 2017 • 5:30pm - 6:00pm | Retirement Party |
| November 11, 2014 • 12:30pm - 3:30pm | Holiday Party |
Set List
Oldies (Traditional barbershop):
• Lida Rose (from The Music Man)
• Let Me Call You Sweetheart (waltz tempo)
• Story of a Rose (“Heart of my heart, I love you”) (ballad)
• I Never Knew/You Were Meant For Me medley (uptune)
• Old St. Louis (slow swing)
• From The First Hello (to the Last Goodbye) (ballad)
30’s & 40’s:
• Everything Old is New Again (uptune)
• What A Wonderful World (ballad)
• It's Only a Paper Moon (swing tempo)
• Java Jive (swing tempo)
• Love Letters (ballad)
• Mood Indigo (slow swing)
• Paper Doll (swing tempo)
• Sentimental Journey (swing tempo)
• Georgia On My Mind (swing tempo)
Broadway:
• Hey Look Me Over (uptune, opener)
50’s, 60’s, & 70’s:
• Hello Mary Lou (uptune)
• Love Me (as sung by Elvis Presley)
• Lullaby in Ragtime (swing tempo)
• Orange Colored Sky (uptune)
• That's Life (swing tempo)
• When I Fall In Love (ballad)
• Our Love Is Here To Stay (as sung by the Four Freshman)
Comedy:
• Sweet Mae (uptune)
Sacred:
• Gospel Medley (Great Come & Get It Day, Crossing Jordan River, In That Great Gettin' Up Morning)
• I Have Seen The Light (gospel)
• Irish Blessing
Plus several secular Christmas songs
Setup Requirements
We provide our own sound system, if required for your venue.